News: To get the edge, the Cowboys have to get older

[Stash]

Freeney.

A guy a few here wanted and many suggested was too old, would hurt the progress of the young players. Ooof.

One thing to add to this, there were a few stories that Freeney proved invaluable as a mentor for some of their younger defensive players. Guess we didn't need that either.

Didn't want a "progress stopper" stunting the development of Charles Tapper.

 

[Silver N Blue]

I was.

But in fairness, I was also on the Sign Mario Williams bandwagon and he turned out to be a complete and total slug.

those were my two guys as well...not on the Ware bandwagon this year though...just think he is done and would rather roll the dice with a guy like Sheard, Ingram, or Perry

 

[Stash]

those were my two guys as well...not on the Ware bandwagon this year though...just think he is done and would rather roll the dice with a guy like Sheard, Ingram, or Perry

I wasn't interested in a Ware reunion either, but in weighing some things out, it's gaining momentum with me.

First, I don't see Dallas paying the big money or long terms it will take for any of the names this year. And they shouldn't. There's not a one of them that's worth what they'll cost.

Secondly, Ware is at the point where he's now a specialist, not a starter. And will be priced accordingly.

Third, given his ties to Dallas, his price to the Cowboys should be as reasonable as anywhere. We'd get a deal rather than overpaying.

Fourth, he's nearing the end of his career, so any contract would be a short one if it didn't work out. Far better than getting into a long term deal with this year's free agents and things not working out.

 

[Hardline]

It's a shame this team can't develope their own pass rushers.

 

[stilltheguru88]

I wasn't interested in a Ware reunion either, but in weighing some things out, it's gaining momentum with me.

First, I don't see Dallas paying the big money or long terms it will take for any of the names this year. And they shouldn't. There's not a one of them that's worth what they'll cost.

Secondly, Ware is at the point where he's now a specialist, not a starter. And will be priced accordingly.

Third, given his ties to Dallas, his price to the Cowboys should be as reasonable as anywhere. We'd get a deal rather than overpaying.

Fourth, he's nearing the end of his career, so any contract would be a short one if it didn't work out. Far better than getting into a long term deal with this year's free agents and things not working out.

Ware has no purpose on this team. The end position only has one more spot available which should go to a rookie not old man Ware

 

[Silver N Blue]

I wasn't interested in a Ware reunion either, but in weighing some things out, it's gaining momentum with me.

First, I don't see Dallas paying the big money or long terms it will take for any of the names this year. And they shouldn't. There's not a one of them that's worth what they'll cost.

Secondly, Ware is at the point where he's now a specialist, not a starter. And will be priced accordingly.

Third, given his ties to Dallas, his price to the Cowboys should be as reasonable as anywhere. We'd get a deal rather than overpaying.

Fourth, he's nearing the end of his career, so any contract would be a short one if it didn't work out. Far better than getting into a long term deal with this year's free agents and things not working out.

I just don't see it. I think he stays in Denver and the boys look elsewhere. Time will tell and on this one we will just remain divided with our hopes and opinions...either way we both just want our team to win and if either situation makes this team better I'm all for it.

 

[Stash]

Ware has no purpose on this team. The end position only has one more spot available which should go to a rookie not old man Ware

When did they put you in charge of the roster?

For a team with such a need for pass rush, it's amazing that it "only has one more spot available". What are they doing with all the rest of those spots that currently aren't filled by players who can get the job done?

 

[Stash]

I just don't see it. I think he stays in Denver and the boys look elsewhere. Time will tell and on this one we will just remain divided with our hopes and opinions...either way we both just want our team to win and if either situation makes this team better I'm all for it.

I didn't see it at first either, believe me.

But, the more I look at it, the more I can see it happening.

It looks more likely than the Cowboys paying big money to one of these guys from a lackluster free agent group. And I'd prefer a short term deal with Ware as a bridge to overpaying and being stuck with a bad contract for several years.

 

[Stash]

It's a shame this team can't develope their own pass rushers.

A lot of us said it when they announced they were going back to the 4-3 defense. They struggled for years and years to generate a pass rush from the time Haley left, no matter what they did, who they signed, or who they drafted.

Greg Ellis never lived up to his draft position in the 4-3, Marcellus Wiley was a bum and wasted signing too. Kavika Pittman, Shante Carver, and Ebenezer Ekuban never lived up to expectations either.

And recently they've swung and missed on Hardy, Gregory, and thus far, Tapper.

 

[stilltheguru88]

When did they put you in charge of the roster?

For a team with such a need for pass rush, it's amazing that it "only has one more spot available". What are they doing with all the rest of those spots that currently aren't filled by players who can get the job done?

When Dallas doesn't sign a free agent DT don't be surprised, that's all I keep saying. I'd be more shocked if we signed someone

 

[Stash]

When Dallas doesn't sign a free agent DT don't be surprised, that's all I keep saying. I'd be more shocked if we signed someone

When did we start talking about signing a DT?

 

[Silver N Blue]

I didn't see it at first either, believe me.

But, the more I look at it, the more I can see it happening.

It looks more likely than the Cowboys paying big money to one of these guys from a lackluster free agent group. And I'd prefer a short term deal with Ware as a bridge to overpaying and being stuck with a bad contract for several years.

Yeah just don't see it...out of his own mouth he said he went to meet the new coach, wants to be in a rotation with Miller and Ray, is practicing at their facility, and wants to finish his career there. I get it could be talk to drive up the price but with Ware I believe he is telling the truth here. The only FA I could see the boys dropping some serious coin for is JPP...all the others are going to get average pay. What I am waiting to see this off season vs past will FAs be lined up wanting to come here like the days when this franchise could win a game when it counts. Ware just doesn't do it for me, great guy, awesome player, but the Ware I remember watching and going bonkers at was the Ware who always seemed to draw the off sides penalty when the game was on the line...seemed like every freaking time week in and week out...I'm happy he won a SB but as a player who knows what the atmosphere here is..why come back? This team still doesn't know how to win...he just watched the same team he played on not show up when the chips were on the line and IF Romo goes to Denver...man there is no way he is coming here...just my 1.5 cents of worthless fandom knowledge...

 

[Stash]

Yeah just don't see it...out of his own mouth he said he went to meet the new coach, wants to be in a rotation with Miller and Ray, is practicing at their facility, and wants to finish his career there.

I saw that too. And then I saw the report from Schefter that he's leaving the door open to a Dallas return. And the fact that he's still got a home in the area and his kids still live here.

I get it could be talk to drive up the price but with Ware I believe he is telling the truth here. The only FA I could see the boys dropping some serious coin for is JPP...

I don't. He's also got an extensive injury history (some of which will never heal). And he's now a LDE, not the position Dallas needs. And he's looking for ridiculous money and hasn't had double digit sacks for several years. And I firmly believe that once he gets his long-term deal, he coasts and the team ends up regretting it.

all the others are going to get average pay.

Based on what? What's "average"? They'll all be out for all they can get and teams will overpay like they always do.

What I am waiting to see this off season vs past will FAs be lined up wanting to come here like the days when this franchise could win a game when it counts.

Don't hold your breath.

Ware just doesn't do it for me, great guy, awesome player, but the Ware I remember watching and going bonkers at was the Ware who always seemed to draw the off sides penalty when the game was on the line...seemed like every freaking time week in and week out...I'm happy he won a SB but as a player who knows what the atmosphere here is..why come back? This team still doesn't know how to win...he just watched the same team he played on not show up when the chips were on the line and IF Romo goes to Denver...man there is no way he is coming here...just my 1.5 cents of worthless fandom knowledge...

You're contradicting yourself. You just spoke about free agents "lined up", and now you're asking "why come back"?

 

[stilltheguru88]

When did we start talking about signing a DT?

Typo. DL

 

[Stash]

Typo. DL

Ok, and for the most part, I agree with you. I think anyone expecting big money spent on JPP or Shepard, or Engram, or Addison, Perry, or any of these other guys that will cost big money is in for a letdown too.

And that's why I can see Ware actually being an option. He can likely be had for about $5 million, and on a short term deal too.

 

[Silver N Blue]

I saw that too. And then I saw the report from Schefter that he's leaving the door open to a Dallas return. And the fact that he's still got a home in the area and his kids still live here.

Aww one report is from a reporter the other is from Ware himself...I will take Ware's words on this one...

I don't. He's also got an extensive injury history (some of which will never heal). And he's now a LDE, not the position Dallas needs. And he's looking for ridiculous money and hasn't had double digit sacks for several years. And I firmly believe that once he gets his long-term deal, he coasts and the team ends up regretting it.

I agree 100%..I don't want him here just saying if they spend serious coin this would be the guy

Based on what? What's "average"? They'll all be out for all they can get and teams will overpay like they always do.

True...average is what Crawford received...JPP is going to exceed Crawford's contract

Don't hold your breath.

LOL...don't worry about that..

You're contradicting yourself. You just spoke about free agents "lined up", and now you're asking "why come back"?

No...making a point about what Ware just witnessed as a former player here....I said for me it will be interesting to see IF FAs are lined up like many moons ago...IF they are maybe just maybe the atmosphere is changing..but if we don't see or read about the TOP players wanting to come here/visit then has anything really changed? For the record if Ware coming here happens he doesn't fit into my Top players wanting to come here...I think we will have to wait for the draft to really get excited..I don't see how this team can or will pass on the top DE available when they pick in the first round..maybe Harris from MO will be there...who knows...maybe Sheldon Richardson will be on a plane at 12:01 on March 3 flying to DFW..

I answered all your questions for some reason they didn't show up open up your response to read all my answers

 

[Stash]

No...making a point about what Ware just witnessed as a former player here....I said for me it will be interesting to see IF FAs are lined up like many moons ago...IF they are maybe just maybe the atmosphere is changing..but if we don't see or read about the TOP players wanting to come here/visit then has anything really changed? For the record if Ware coming here happens he doesn't fit into my Top players wanting to come here...

I don't see a point, I see a contradiction. Other free agents would want to come here because they think the Cowboys can win (and they obviously can), but Ware somehow wouldn't, based on things that happened over three years ago? That makes no sense.

I think we will have to wait for the draft to really get excited..I don't see how this team can or will pass on the top DE available when they pick in the first round..maybe Harris from MO will be there...who knows...maybe Sheldon Richardson will be on a plane at 12:01 on March 3 flying to DFW..

I think they'll definitely draft one, but maybe not at #28, if the value isn't there. And that's why part of me thinks that they will have made some level of a move to help to ensure that they're not stuck taking a guy who's not actually worth taking at 28.

Past history has shown that they make moves prior to the draft so that they're not stuck taking any one position but maintain a measure of draft flexibility to take the best player available.

 

[Alexander]

I'd rather have the pressure guy over the sack guy. I think Freeney was always known for being around the QB.

Sack numbers are massively oversold. I understand why because it is the only recordable sack that is reliable since pressures are not widely recognized.

But way way too much is made of sacks, which is just finishing pressure. It really gives a misleading idea of effectiveness, almost like pancake blocks would do for OL.

Pressure, just harassing a QB, making him move, getting him off balance or frenetic, is the best scenario and sacks don't always tell the whole story.

Just watch a DE known as a sack meister and count how many times per game they get "pressure". You will be surprised how many times teams can chip or run them wide of the QB and allow them to step up.

A veteran who knows all the tricks, can be effective in short spurts and also can serve as a mentor. Freeney did that for Atlanta, even if his sack numbers don't impress the layman. He was giving Nate Solder all he could handle and it made the Patriots adjust in the second half.

 

[Sydla]

Freeney wasn't the reason the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl. Not even close. He may have been a calming presence on the sidelines, but nothing more. Let's not make this bigger than it really is.

I'm all about getting the right mix of veterans and younger players, but not ancient. And no, I don't think Ware would help much either. Go get War Daddy Pierre-Paul!

Who said anything about Freeney being the biggest reason they made it to the SB?

But the fact is he was an asset that helped the Falcons, even from a leadership perspective. And the Falcons got that for $1MM for one season.

So the Falcons got a guy for cheap, that didn't hurt them long term and proved to be a decent asset on and off the field. Yeah, we couldn't have used that.

 

[Sydla]

10 tackles 3 sacks
But you see him make one play in the super bowl and he's the answer to the super bowl

Way to exaggerate.